초록 ▼

A solar energy system employing high-pressure high velocity air as the primary heat transfer medium comprises a plurality of collector panels connected in parallel with each other in a closed loop that also includes an air compressor and a heat exchanger that is connected to external energy utilizat

A solar energy system employing high-pressure high velocity air as the primary heat transfer medium comprises a plurality of collector panels connected in parallel with each other in a closed loop that also includes an air compressor and a heat exchanger that is connected to external energy utilization means. A self-actuating temperature-responsive air flow control valve associated with each collector panel cuts off the air flow through the panel whenever the air temperature in the panel is below a minimum threshold value and allows an increasing air flow through the panel up to a maximum as the temperature increases, maintaining the output temperature from the collector panel essentially constant for widely varying conditions of solar radiation. An air feedback circuit connects the outlet of the compressor to its inlet, bypassing the collector panels, and includes a pressure-responsive feedback control valve to assure a relatively constant total flow through the compressor. In some of the system embodiments, a thermal store is incorporated in the closed loop. A preferred construction employs a thermal feedback comprising an air/air heat exchanger connected from the outlet of the compressor to its inlet. The preferred collector panel construction utilizes a metal foil radiation absorber/air heater mounted in housing having an insulated base with the front of the housing closed by a cover formed of a thin sheet of glazing material affording a multiplicity of corrugations of generally sinusoidal configuration extending longitudinally of the housing and a manifold at each end of the housing.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar energy system utilizing high pressure high velocity air as the primary heat transfer medium, comprising: collector means for collection of radiant solar energy, comprising at least one solar energy collector panel having an air inlet and an air outlet; an air compressor having an air inlet a

A solar energy system utilizing high pressure high velocity air as the primary heat transfer medium, comprising: collector means for collection of radiant solar energy, comprising at least one solar energy collector panel having an air inlet and an air outlet; an air compressor having an air inlet and an air outlet; energy utilization means, including an air/fluid heat exchanger having a heating air inlet, a cooled air outlet, a secondary fluid inlet and a secondary fluid outlet; a series of ducts, forming a closed loop, connecting the collector panel air outlet to the compressor air inlet, the compressor air outlet to the heat exchanger heating air inlet, and the heat exchanger cooled air outlet to the collector panel air inlet; thermal flow control means, comprising a self actuating temperature responsive air flow control valve interposed in the loop in association with the collector means, for limiting the air flow through the collector means to a minimum whenever the air temperature in the collector means is below a minimum threshold and for increasing the air flow through the collector means as the air temperature in the collector means rises above the minimum threshold, up to a maximum flow whenever the air temperature in the collector means exceeds a given maximum threshold, thereby maintaining the temperature of the air output from the collector means within a limited range for a wide variety of solar radiation conditions; and air feedback means for maintaining a relatively constant air flow through the compressor, the air feedback means comprising an air feedback conduit effectively interconnecting the compressor air outlet back to its inlet, bypassing the collector means, the air feedback means further comprising a self-actuating pressure-responsive feedback control valve interposed in the air feedback conduit.